This JL Hammett Company, founded in 1863, was once the oldest and largest independently owned school-supply retailer and distributor in the United States.
The ink well has a Bakelite lid that bears the company name as well as "Bakelite No. 6" and "Newark" and "Cambridge," the latter two being cities in which the company operated. More than likely, this ink well was used on a school desk.
Bakelite was used in the early 1900s through the 1950s, and dip pens fell out of use in the 1950s when ballpoint pen usage became more widespread. However, because the glass portion of this ink well has bubbles and some anomalies from the glass blowing process that weren't as visible after the 1920s, I am dating this inkwell as being circa 1920s.
The Bakelite lid has scratching, nicking, and wear, most evident in the second, third, and ninth photos. The underside of the lid has wear around the edge, shown in the fourth and sixth photos. The glass has no chips, cracks or crazing but there are bubbles and grooves (as shown in the seventh and tenth photos) from the glass blowing process. The grooves are not cracks but grooves contained within the glass. The bottom of the ink well has a 58.
Please let me know if you would like more photos as I will be happy to oblige.
Dimensions are 1 ⅜" depth, 1 ¼" across the base, and 1 ¾" across the top of the lid.
Thank you for looking.
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